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j2teapot's review against another edition
Severe self harm shown, could not read past it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
mackenzieblackwood's review against another edition
2.0
Read my review on my blog here: https://theconsultingbookworm.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/the-palace-of-curiosities-rosie-garland/
mystifiedbulb22's review against another edition
4.0
Rosie Garland's lush prose stunningly brings the two lead characters' stories to life. Really gorgeous to read!
fransjevo's review against another edition
challenging
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
1.25
leah_reads's review against another edition
3.0
*Received in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you, Harper Collins*
If you blend in Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop, Sarah Waters' Fingersmith and Barbara Chase-Riboud's Hottentot Venus the result would be The Palace of Curiosities. A mystical and entrancing novel which explores the Other within society, it is definitely well worth a read. It's once again another of those novels that would be fascinating to study. The exploration of what it means to be human is done so thoroughly and poetically, it really was one of those one of a kind reads. I loved that it held elements of books that I love to read or to study, it gave the novel more depth as I once again followed the path which displays the horrendous mistreatment of those that are not considered to be the 'norm'.
I love books that are set in the Victorian era. It just sucks me in and I feel like I can almost smell the smoke and gaslight that surrounds it. This book was no different with the twisting alleys, dark atmosphere and descriptions of poverty. It's a setting I instantly lost myself in. The backdrop seemed fitting to portray the group of unique characters that are exploited by Mr Arroner. The story follows the story of Abel and Eve, both with their own quests ahead of them. Eve, a character that was duped into becoming the wife of Mr Arroner is known as the 'Lion-Faced Girl'. Covered in hair and with paws, she is used and exploited in order for her husband to earn money. Abel, known as the 'Flayed Man' appears to be immortal and without the ability to bleed no matter how much he cuts himself or attempts suicide. The paths of these two characters collide and make for such a dark story.
The unfolding of this abuse is so in depth and disturbing. I felt myself longing for Abel and Eve to find a way out of their situations. It's sad to realise that the same attitude to those that are different from the 'norm' are treated horribly still. This book is an exploration of the dangerous societal attitudes and is deeply moving. A very different book and if Carter, Waters or neo-Victorian literature is your thing, this will definitely be for you.
*Thank you, Harper Collins*
If you blend in Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop, Sarah Waters' Fingersmith and Barbara Chase-Riboud's Hottentot Venus the result would be The Palace of Curiosities. A mystical and entrancing novel which explores the Other within society, it is definitely well worth a read. It's once again another of those novels that would be fascinating to study. The exploration of what it means to be human is done so thoroughly and poetically, it really was one of those one of a kind reads. I loved that it held elements of books that I love to read or to study, it gave the novel more depth as I once again followed the path which displays the horrendous mistreatment of those that are not considered to be the 'norm'.
I love books that are set in the Victorian era. It just sucks me in and I feel like I can almost smell the smoke and gaslight that surrounds it. This book was no different with the twisting alleys, dark atmosphere and descriptions of poverty. It's a setting I instantly lost myself in. The backdrop seemed fitting to portray the group of unique characters that are exploited by Mr Arroner. The story follows the story of Abel and Eve, both with their own quests ahead of them. Eve, a character that was duped into becoming the wife of Mr Arroner is known as the 'Lion-Faced Girl'. Covered in hair and with paws, she is used and exploited in order for her husband to earn money. Abel, known as the 'Flayed Man' appears to be immortal and without the ability to bleed no matter how much he cuts himself or attempts suicide. The paths of these two characters collide and make for such a dark story.
The unfolding of this abuse is so in depth and disturbing. I felt myself longing for Abel and Eve to find a way out of their situations. It's sad to realise that the same attitude to those that are different from the 'norm' are treated horribly still. This book is an exploration of the dangerous societal attitudes and is deeply moving. A very different book and if Carter, Waters or neo-Victorian literature is your thing, this will definitely be for you.
redheadreading's review
This is so BORING!!! If I have to read one more scene of gratuitous violence with no point to it I will scream
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
scarletthequeen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Honestly I don’t think I would ever recommend this book because there are better ones. Also serious trigger warning for self harm because there weren’t any warnings and it’s a prevalent action throughout the book. And there’s a horrible scene towards the end of the book where two black men are ripped up by dogs for sport and I could not stomach it. I know that human zoos were a thing in the time period where this book takes place and many aren’t aware of that. But honestly I felt like the author learned this fact one day and was like ‘I should add this to my book’ there was no reason for the scene, it contributed nothing to the plot, or the characters, or really anything at all. It was another use of black trauma by non black people for the shock factor or whatever and it made me sick. I felt like my ancestors were looking down on me in horror and disappointment wondering why I continued reading this horrid and disrespectful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Torture, Sexual violence, Gore, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia
hisdarkmaterials's review against another edition
3.0
In some ways a very beautiful book, but at the same time...for all its eloquence and what not, it was a bloody boring book.
woolfardis's review against another edition
1.0
I think if I didn't have approximately 126 books in piles in my room to read I might have given this more time, but I really couldn't get behind it. The writing was quite good, and it held me briefly, but there were turns off phrases that put me off, and random words that turned up out of the blue: flowing sentences that were abruptly ruptured by "titties" and the inability to call it a penis, or a vagina, or sex. Also the idea that a foetus, not even nearly 9 months old, can smell or have claws. It may be a book for another time, but for now it is worthless.